A spokeswoman for the Danish rig contractor confirmed the rig options for deliveries in 2016 or 2017 had now expired after Maersk let them slide as a flood of newbuilds and reduced demand from cost-cutting oil companies has resulted in lower utilisation and falling dayrates.
The options were originally tied to an order for Maersk's fourth giant XLE unit, which is being built at the yard for work on BP's Valhall field off Norway and due for delivery in 2016.
Maersk
